Case of the Month
Should I be drenching ewes???
Reasons for Worming Ewes:
1. For the Ewes’ Sake:
If a ewe is worm free, she utilises her feed more efficiently, has an improved
appetite, and therefore puts on more condition (or loses less).
2. For the Newborn Lambs’ Sake:
A well fed ewe has more energy at lambing time and more ability to deliver
her lamb quickly. Lambs from these ewes are born with body temperatures 1
degree Celsius higher, which affects lamb vigour. If a lamb is more vigorous
at birth, the ewe is more likely to mother it well, so less starvation/exposure losses.
3. For the Milk Lambs’ Sake:
It is possible for a milk lamb to achieve liveweight gains of 300-400g per
day. This exceptional figure is approached by having the ewe perform well,
with higher milk production and less loss of bodyweight - at weaning the ewe
should not be more than 3-4kg below her next tupping weight, or she won’t
get to her ideal tupping weight next season.
4. For the Weaned Lambs’ Sake:
A better lamb at weaning means earlier lamb drafts and lowers the effective
stocking rate.
Products currently marketed:
Bionic: A 100 day combination capsule with continual release of abamectin and
albendazole, plus selenium and cobalt. Withholding time 128 days.
Extender SeCo: A drench capsule which releases albendazole (white drench
family) for 100 days, plus cobalt and selenium. Suitable for ewes up to 80kg. A
priming dose of effective drench must be given to the ewes when the capsules
are inserted. Withholding time is zero.
Ivomec Maximizer: A 100 day worm drench capsule, with Ivomec as the active
ingredient. A single capsule is adequate for ewes up to 80kg. Because ivermectin
resistance is so common, we caution the use of Maximizer. Withholding time is
126 days.
Exodus LA, Cydectin LA: These products contain a form of moxidectin injection
in a novel base which increases their length of action. It is active against Trichs
for 42 days, and Ostertagia for 112 days.
Cydectin Injection: This product contains moxidectin which has a persistent
worm killing action following a single injection. It stays active for up to 30 days,
but can suppress the egg output of the ewes for much longer. It is best used 2-4
weeks pre-lamb. Withholding time is 28 days for sheep meat.
Eweguard: This product combines Cydectin injection with a 6 in 1 clostridial
Vaccination. 2000 dose order